Electric starting device for internal-combustion engines.



8.1. NYES.

ELECTRIC STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL GOIVIBUSTIION ENGINES.

' APPLICATION FILED APILQ. 1913.

1,237,21 5 Paented Aug. 14,1917. r NQ l .3

i /3 i a f4 e f 1 I /Z "55 l l I I i I@ i E //Z/'//0 f/a 45 46 474g 40 IO)4Z i 3/ o s if/@g BERNICE J. NGYES, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

`ELEK'JTRIC! STARTING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 14, .1917.

.Application filed April 9, 1913. Serial No. 759,847.

' ternal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toelectric starting-devices for internal combustion engines adapted for manual control involving storage-batteries and a dynamo-electric machine, adapted to operate either as a motor or a generator; and has for its object the employmentlof simple forms of switches and a hand-operated controller therefor, for controlling the arrangement of the batteries whereby they may be arranged in series relation for starting purposes and in multiple relation for charging purposes; and also the employment of simple :forms of switches controlling the circuit, there being two suoli circuit-controlling switches prpvided, one for closing the circuit when the batteries are arranged in multiple relation for charging purposes, andthe other for closing the circuit when the batteries are arranged in series relation for starting purposes. The charging-switch is operatively connected with the switch-controller so that when said controller is moved to arrange the batteries in multiple relation for charging purposes the circuit will be closed, thereby admitting of the batteries being charged, and when said controller is moved to arrangey the batteries in series relation for starting purposes, thecircuit will be opened. The start-mgswitch is so constructed and associated wlth the switch-controller that in case it shall be' operated to close the circuit at a time when the switch-controller has been moved to arrange the batteries in multiple relation, it will automatically return said switch-controller to normal position, to thereby arrange the'l batteries. in series relation, and

the charging-switch,which is operatively 1 controller, the case being broken away to eX- pose the parts within.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the switch-box shown in Fig. 1. Y 1 l Fig. 3 is a detail view .of the charging and starting switches in the position they will occupy when the batteries are arranged in multiple for charging purposes, and the charging-switch is operated to close theV circuit.

Fig. 4,- is a similar detail. View of the charging and starting switches in the position they will occupy when the batteries are arranged in series relation and the starting-switch is operated to close the circuit.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the circuits.

10 represents the box or inclosing-case Said box contains an instrument such as an ampere-hour meter having an indicatinghand 12 arranged to move over a dial 13, which is exposed through an opening 14 in the front wall of the box, (which opening may be closed by a glass plate) for indicating the condition of the storage-batteries. 15 represents a dynamo-electric machine adapted to be driven by the engine' for chargino purposes, and also to turn the shaft ofj the engine in any-usual or suitable manner, and 16, 17, 18, 19, represent four storage-batteries, each containing as many cells as desired. Said storage-batteries are designed to be arranged in series relation to supply current for dri/ving the dynamo, and

in multiple relation to receive a chargingcurrent from the dynamo.

- A double-pole switch of any usual or suitable construction is arranged within the case' for closing the circuit when the 'batteries are arranged in multiple relation, and which serves as the charging-switch, and comprises switch-arms 24,- 25, pivoted respectively at 22, 23, and arranged for engagement with the contacts Q8, and 29, when in one position and with contacts 28 and 31 when in another position.

A two-point switch of any"usual or suitable construction is also arranged vwithin the case` for closing the circuit when thestorage-batteries are arranged in series relation, and which serves as the starting-switch, and comprises a switch-arm 100, pivoted at 101, and arranged for engagement with a contact 10i., when in one positionand with a contact 103 when in another position.

As here shown, the circuit which is contrailed by said switches comprises circuit,- wires 20, 21, leading from the motor-generator to the pivot-shafts 22, 23, of the switch arms 2l, 25 of the charging-switch; a circuit-wire 2G leading from the switch-arm contact 2S to one end of the several storagebatteries which latter are connected. together in series by connecting-wires, a circuit-wire 105`ileading from the switch-arm contact 29 to the pivot-shaft 101 of the starting-switch 100; a. circuit-wire 27 leading roml the switch-arm contact 103 of the start-ing- -switch to the storage-batteries; a circuitand -18 are arranged in the branch circuitwires 32, 33, 31 and 35, constituting one set of switches, and switches 50, 51 and 52 'are arranged in the connecting circuit-wires between the several batteries, constituting another set of switches. These switches are or may be made alike and each consists of a pair of resilient contact-members mounted on insulated supports, and they are arranged in two rows, those of one set being arranged in one row and those of the other set in another row. Both sets ot' switches are designed to be controlled manually, and, as here shown a rotatable cylinder 60 is provided, having arranged on it longitudinally extended ribs G1, 62, for engagement with the resilient contact-members of the several switches, as for instance, those switches which are operated by the rib 61, as 40, 41, 42, 15, 10, 47 and 18 are normally open and are adapted to be closed by engagelnent therewith of the rib G1, and those switches which are. operated by the rib 62C as 50, 51 and 52, are normally closed and are adapted to be opened by the engagement therewith et' said rib 62. Then the cylinder is disposed with its ribs 61 and 62 both free from engagement with the switches, as represented by dotted lines Fig. the -storage-batteries are arranged in series relation; and when the cylinder is turned to the position represented in F ig. 3, and thetwo sets of switches operated simultaneously, the storage-batteries will be arranged in multiple relation. i

The chargingswitch is operatively connected with said cylinder to be operated fnnjunction with it, and, as here shown, said cylinder is secured to the pivot-shaft .22 of the charging-switch, and asy the cylinder is turned the charging-switch will be corre@ spondinglymoved, thereby to open and close the circuit. WV hen the cylinder is in the position represented by dotted lines Fig. 2,

the charging-switch will occupy the position sets of switches, then the pivot-shaft 22 will be correspondingly turned and the switcharm 24 moved from4 the contact 28 to the Contact 31 and the switch-arm 25, which is Aconnected with the switch-arm 24, is moved from the Contact 29 to the contact 28, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby closing the circuit with thebatteries arranged in multiple relation.

lVhen it is desired to drive the dynamo to in turn rotate the shaft of the engine for the purpose of starting it, the starting switcharm 100 will be moved from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5, to the position shown in Fig. et, whereupon the circuit-wire 27 will be connected with the circuit-wlre 2G through the circuit-wire 105 and the charging-switch. v

Then it is desired to move the startingswitch for this purpose, it is necessary that the storage-batteries shall be arranged in series relation and ih .case the chargingswitch has been moved from its normal position for charging purposes, it must be restored to normal, and herein an arm 106 is connected to the pivot-shaft 101 of the starting-switch, which extends over the chargingswitch so as to engage a pin 107 on the connecting-bar of said charging-switch, thereby to automatically restore said chargingswitch to normal.

It is designed and intended that both the clnlrging-switch and the starting-switch shall be manually operated, and, as here shown, the shaft of the cylinder (i0 extends through the wall of the case, and has arranged on its exposed end-portion a knob 70 having an indicator-hand 71 coperating with suitable indicators on the wall of the case; and the shaft 101 of the startingswitch is also extended through the wall of the case and has arranged on its exposed end-portion a, knob 110, having an indicating-hand 112, cooperating with suitable indicators on the wall of the case. Thus each switch may be turned when desired.

A lamp-circuit is here shown comprising circuit-wires '75, 76, connected to opposite sides of one of the storage-batteries, said circuit having lamps arranged therein in multiple, as shown, and a hand-switch 80, is provided for controlling them, throughl a branch-circuit containing a resistance for causing the lamps to glow dimly, or through a branch-circuit which either` does not contain a resistance for causing the lamps to glow brightly.

I claim v 1. In an electric starting-device for internal combustion engines, the combination with a plurality of storage-batteries, a dynamo, a circuitconnecting them, and a plurality of switches for connecting said storage-batteries in circuit in seriesand in multiple relation, of a rotatable cylinderhaving ribs arranged on it to operate said switches, and having means operatively connected with it by which to rotate it, a charging-switch operatively connected with said controller tor closing the circuit when the controller is moved to connect the storage batteries in multiple relation, and a switch :tor closing the circuit when the batteries are connected in series relation, substantially as described.

2. In an electric starting-device for internal combustion' engines, the combination with a plurality of storage-batteries, a dynamo, a circuit connect-ing them, and two sets of switches, the switches of one set be ing normally biased to`closed position and the switches ot the other set being normally biased to open position and said switches being arranged in the circuit and normally disposed to connect said storage batteries in series relation and when,moved to connect said storage-batteries`in multiple relation, ot' aA rotatable controller having switch-engaging ribs, a charging-switch operatively connected with said controller for closing the circuit when the controller' is moved to connect the storage-batteries in multiple relation, and a switch for closing the circuit when the batteries are connected in series relation, substantially as described.

3. In an electric starting-device for internal combustion engines, the combination with a plurality of storage-batteries, a dynamo, acircuit connecting them, and a plurality of switches'for connecting said storage-batteries in circuit in series and in multiple relation, of a controller for all of said switches, a charging-switch operatively connected with said controller for closing the circuit when the controller is moved to connect the storage-batteries in multiple relation, and a starting-switch, tor closing the circuit when the storage-batteries are connected in series relation having means for engaging the charging-switch to restore said charging-switch to normal, substantially as described.

et. In an electric starting device for internal combustion engines,- the combination with a plurality of storage batteries, a dynamoa circuit connecting them, and a plurality of switches for connecting said storage batteries in circuit, in series, and in multiple relation, of-a controller torall of said switches, a charging switch operatively connected with said controller and normally disposed in open circuit position, said charging switchbeing movable with the controller tor closing the circuit when the controller is moved to connect the sto-rage batteries in multiple relation, and a switch operable independently of the controller and charging switch, tor moving the charging switch back to normal position and for connecting the charging switch in the series circuit of the batteries.

5. In an electric starting device f or internal combustion engines, the combination with a plurality of storage batteries, a dy,- namo, al circuit connecting them, and a plurality of switches for connecting said stor-A age batteries in circuit, in series, and in multiple relation, and a controller for all of said switches, a double-throw charging switch having three contacts, a-pair of which are connected in the multiple circuit of the batteries,one side of said multiple circuit constituting one side of said series circuit, a fixed contact in the other'side of said series circuit, and a switch movable independently of the charging switch for closing the circuit between the third contact of the charging switch and the said i'iXed contact of the series circuit, said charging switch being normally disposed in open circuit position, but being movable with the controller or closing` the circuit through the dynamo by engaging the first-mentioned pair of contacts, when the controller is operated to con.- nect the batteries in multiple, said charging switch being also movable in response to' the movements of the said switch for engagement with one of said pair of fixed contacts and with the third contact when the said switch is moved to connect the third contact with the other side of the series circuit.

'In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' BERNICE J. NOYES. Witnesses:

C. Dorm, H. B. Davis.. 

